Gear synchronized dual axis pivot hinge

ABSTRACT

A portable information handling system supports a flexible OLED display film over housing portions rotationally coupled by a hinge by folding the OLED display film over the hinge. Hinge brackets that couple to the housing portions each have a gear member with a semicircular shape gear inner circumference that engages a gear subassembly of the hinge main body. Hinge bracket rotation translates through the gear subassembly for synchronized housing rotation. The hinge main body has first and second semicircular portions with a smooth surface defined to accept the outer circumference smooth surface of the gear member semicircular shape at first and second rotation axes about which the hinge brackets pivot so that the display film has space to fold in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/530,367, filed Aug. 2, 2019, entitled “Gear Synchronized Dual AxisPivot Hinge,” naming Christopher A. Torres, Kevin M. Turchin, EnochChen, Anthony J. Sanchez, Kai-Cheng Chao, Chia-Hao Hsu, and Chia-HuangChan as inventors, which application is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/530,377, filed Aug. 2, 2019, entitled “Synchronized Dual Axis PivotHinge” by inventors Christopher A. Torres, Kevin M. Turchin, Enoch Chen,An Szu Hsu, Hsu Hong Yao, and Yuan Ming Lin, Attorney, describesexemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of portableinformation handling system hinges, and more particularly to aninformation handling system synchronized dual axis pivot hinge.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, adisplay and a power source in a portable housing to support mobileoperations. Portable information handling systems allow end users tocarry a system between meetings, during travel, and between home andoffice locations so that an end user has access to processingcapabilities while mobile. Convertible information handling systemconfigurations typically include multiple separate housing portions thatcouple to each other so that the system converts between closed and openpositions. The closed position provides a smaller footprint for storing,protecting and carrying the information handling system. In someconventional systems, the open position holds a display in a viewingposition and expose a keyboard for accepting keyed inputs. For example,a main housing portion integrates processing components and a keyboardand rotationally couples with hinges to a lid housing portion thatintegrates a display. In a clamshell configuration, the lid housingportion rotates approximately ninety degrees to a raised position abovethe main housing portion so that an end user can type inputs whileviewing the display. After usage, convertible information handlingsystems rotate the lid housing portion over the main housing portion toprotect the keyboard and display.

Recently, the availability of organic light emitting diode (OLED)displays has generated interest is convertible information handlingsystems that fold an OLED display to achieve a closed position. OLEDdisplays integrate OLED material in a film that is flexible so that anOLED display disposed over both the main and lid housing portions canfold at the hinge that rotationally couples the housing portionstogether. In an unfolded configuration with the housing portions in aparallel plane, the OLED display provides a tablet configuration with alarger surface area for viewing information. In a partially foldedconfiguration with the housing portions in a perpendicular orientation,one portion of the OLED display is positioned vertically to presentvisual images while the other portion is positioned horizontally toaccept typed inputs at a virtual keyboard presented by the display.Avoiding the use of an integrated keyboard tends to reduce the thicknessand weight of the system for improved mobility.

One difficulty that arises with integration of a foldable OLED displayin a convertible information handling system is that OLED films aresusceptible to breakage if folded at too sharp of an angle. A variety ofdisplay support arrangements exist that attempt to alleviate suchbreakages by avoiding tensile and compressive stresses on the OLED filmduring folding and unfolding. One technique is to use a conventionaldual axis gear-synchronized hinge that forms a space between the axes inwhich the OLED film may fold at a natural angle. A difficulty with thisapproach is that a large space between the axes increases the thicknessof the information handling system. Another difficulty with thisapproach is that the circumference of the display on the inside of afolded housing shrinks relative to the circumference of the outside ofthe housing. To correct for this effect, the hinge area has to provideroom for the OLED film to expand or the OLED film has to slide relativeto the housing at each housing end opposite the hinge. In addition, somesupport typically has to be added under the OLED film so that presses onthe OLED film over the hinge, such as finger or stylus touch inputs,will not create stress at the OLED film.

One alternative to using a dual axle geared hinge is a single axis pivothinge. The single axis pivot hinge has a central body that acts as asupport under the OLED film in the open position and two arms thatrotate about a central axis of the central body between closed and openpositions. In the closed position, the two arms leave space between eachother to allow the OLED film to fold. To support motion of the two armsabout the single axis, the base of the arms follow an arc path at thebackside of the central body. Although a single axis pivot hingeprovides a support surface to hold the OLED film in the openconfiguration, the support surface remains fixed in position relative tothe OLED film, which limits the room available for the OLED film toexpand as the housing inner circumference is reduced in the closedposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which provides asynchronized dual axis pivot hinge to rotationally couple informationhandling system housing portions having flexible display film.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems for supporting a flexibledisplay over a hinge that rotationally-couples portable housing portionstogether. A hinge assembly rotates opposing brackets about dual axes todefine a pivot motion that translates opposing housing portions up andaway from the hinge assembly to maintain a fold radius of a flexibledisplay film disposed over the hinge assembly. A fold region definedbelow the dual axes provides additional room for a flexible display filmto fold below the plane on which the display film rests in an openposition.

More specifically, an information handling system processes informationwith processing components disposed in a housing, such as centralprocessing unit (CPU) that executes instructions and a random accessmemory (RAM) that stores the information and instructions. The housinghas first and second portions rotationally coupled to each other by adual axis pivot hinge assembly that has opposing brackets coupled toopposing housing portions and pivotally rotating about a hinge mainbody. In one embodiment, the hinge main body has first and secondadjacent semicircular portions along a length with each semicircularportion defining a rotation path of an adjacent bracket through ahelical member extending from the bracket and engaging a helical guidedefined within the semicircular portion. Rotation of a bracketsynchronizes with rotation of an opposing bracket by translatingrotational movement through a sliding motion of the helical guide. In analternative embodiment, a gear subassembly synchronizes rotation ofopposing brackets through a gear member that extends from each bracketand into the hinge main housing. The gear member has gear teeth formedalong an inner circumference and a smooth surface along an outercircumference. As motion of a bracket slides the smooth portion about asemicircular portion formed in the hinge main housing, teeth of theinner circumference engage with the gear subassembly to translate motionto the other bracket. Translation of motion to synchronize bracketsrelies upon a planetary gear arrangement that effectively increases thedistance of the bracket from the main hinge during rotation to adapt aflexible display film disposed over the hinge assembly to the innercircumference formed by the housing portions. The helical member andhelical guide interaction provides similar bracket synchronization andpivotal rotation about dual axes without including gears.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that aportable information handling system rotationally couples separatehousing portions to rotate with dual pivot arms, each about a separateaxis. The hinge reduces system height with a concealed synchronizedsliding cam mechanism and integrated variable torque elements. In anopen position, hinge support portions raise to the OLED film height toprovide support against touch inputs made at the display touchscreen. Inthe closed position, the hinge support portions rotate to a lower heightthat provides room for the flexible display film to fold withoutinducing tensile or compressive stress. The mono-hinge constructionprovides a robust solution that withstands repeated open and closecycles and that offers stable cable routing between the housingportions, such as for routing flexible cables to communicate informationand power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts an upper perspective view of a hinge assembly having adual axis pivot that defines a flexible display film fold region;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the hinge assembly in an open positionhaving display supports extending upward at a central location of themain body;

FIG. 3 depicts an upper perspective view of the hinge assembly having adual axis pivot with opposing brackets rotated to a closed position thatdefines a fold region;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the hinge assembly in a closed positionhaving display supports withdrawn into a central location of the mainbody and the brackets rotated to define the fold region;

FIG. 5 depicts a lower perspective view of the bottom of the hingeassembly in an open position;

FIGS. 6A through 6G depict a series of side views of folding of aflexible display film across a multi-axis hinge with pivoting ofbrackets to define a fold region;

FIG. 7 depicts an upper perspective cutaway view of interactions betweenhelical members of brackets coupled to the hinge assembly and helicalguides defined within the main body of the hinge assembly;

FIG. 8 depicts an upper perspective cutaway view of the brackets rotatedin a synchronized manner to a closed position coordinated by action ofthe sliding cams;

FIG. 9 depicts a lower perspective cutaway view of interactions betweenthe helical members and the helical guides defined by the sliding cams;

FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of a hinge assembly that synchronizesbracket movement though helical member engagement with helical guides;

FIG. 11 depicts a side perspective view of an end of the hinge assemblyhaving torque to resist bracket rotation communicated from a torqueelement through torque arms;

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a side cutaway view that compares a fold regionprovided by a single axis pivot hinge and a dual axis pivot hinge;

FIG. 13 depicts an upper perspective view of an alternative embodimentof a dual axis pivot hinge in an open position having bracket motionsynchronized by a gear subassembly;

FIG. 14 depicts an upper perspective view of the dual axis pivot hingerotated to a closed position with brackets synchronized by the gearsubassembly;

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a side cutaway view of a comparison of bracketpivot movement with a dual axis and single axis hinge assembly;

FIG. 16 depicts an exploded perspective view of a hinge assembly havinga dual axis pivot synchronized by a gear subassembly;

FIG. 17 depicts a top cutaway view of an information handling systemhaving opposing housing portions rotationally coupled by a dual axespivot hinge assembly;

FIG. 18A, a side cutaway view depicts a flexible cable interface betweenhousing portions and across a hinge assembly rotated to an openposition;

FIG. 18B depicts an example of copper distribution at a flexible cablethat extends across a multi-axis pivot hinge; and

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C depict a side cutaway view of a flexible cableinterface response to rotation of a housing portion from the open to aclosed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An information handling system hinge pivots about dual axes to define afold region that provides space for a flexible display film to fold asthe hinge rotates to a closed position. For purposes of this disclosure,an information handling system may include any instrumentality oraggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process,transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, orother purposes. For example, an information handling system may be apersonal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitabledevice and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, andprice. The information handling system may include random access memory(RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processingunit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or othertypes of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the informationhandling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more networkports for communicating with external devices as well as various inputand output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a videodisplay. The information handling system may also include one or morebuses operable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an upper perspective view depicts a hingeassembly 10 having a dual axis pivot that defines a flexible displayfilm fold region. Hinge assembly 10 is constructed of a main body 12that extends along a length, such as a length sufficient to extendbetween opposing sides of a portable information handling system havingrotationally coupled housing portions. A set of opposed brackets 14 aredisposed at opposing sides of main body 12 and an idler bracket 16 isdisposed between main brackets 14. Each of brackets 12 and idlerbrackets 16 include attachment points 18 that accept a coupling to aninformation handling system housing, such as openings through whichbolts or screws insert. In the example embodiment, brackets 14 and idlerbrackets 16 have rotated to an open position, such as supports a tabletconfiguration of a portable information handling system that hasrotationally coupled housing portions disposed in a common plane.Display film supports 20, such as for an OLED display film, extendupwards from a central position of main body 12 along its length.Specifically, display film supports 20 extend upward between first andsecond semicircular portions 22 defined parallel to each other along thelength of main body 12. Each semicircular portion 22 defines an axis ofrotation about which brackets 14 and idler brackets 16 pivot, as setforth in greater detail below.

Brackets 14 each rotate substantially ninety degrees from the depictedopen position to a closed position that folds a flexible display filmdisposed over hinge assembly 10 within a fold region defined betweenbrackets 14. A torque element 24 couples to each opposing end of mainbody 12 and includes friction devices that generate torque in oppositionto rotational movement. A torque arm 26 rotationally couples to torqueelement 24 and engages with bracket 14 so that rotation of bracket 14 isresisted with torque provided by torque element 24 and translatedthrough torque arm 26. A hinge cover attachment feature 28 couples at acentral location of torque element 24 to accept a protective and/ordecorative cover of an information handling system assembly. Asdescribed below in greater detail, opposing brackets 14 have asynchronized motion driven through interactions with semicircularportions 22 so that movement of one bracket 14 is translated to theopposing bracket 14 with a torque provided by torque element 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of hinge assembly 10 depicts anopen position having display supports 20 extending upward at a centrallocation of main body 12. The upper surface of brackets 14 define asupport plane for a flexible display film with display film supports 20extending upward to the display film support plane. In the open positionof brackets 14, display supports 20 have an upper surface that alignswith the display film support plane. Torque element 24 has opposingfirst and second rotational attachment points at which first and secondtorque arms 26 rotationally couple. Torque arms 26 translate torque fromtorque element 24 to resist rotational movement of brackets 14. Hingecover attachment feature 28 provides a central attachment location for aprotective and/or decorative housing feature.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an upper perspective view depicts a hingeassembly 10 having a dual axis pivot with opposing brackets 14 rotatedto a closed position that defines a fold region 42. In the closedposition, brackets 14 extend upward and away from main body 12 withmotion defined by engagement of a helical member 30 extending from eachbracket 14 with a sliding rotational pivot defined by a semicircularportion 22. The upward movement by bracket 14 away from main body 12with rotation to the closed position from the open position adaptshousing portion relative positions so that an inner circumference of theinformation handling system housing matches the length of a foldeddisplay film. Helical member 30 engages with a helical guide formed inmain body 12 while an alignment ridge 32 extending from helical member30 engages with an alignment guided to maintain the relative position ofbrackets 14 at main body 12. In the closed position, display filmsupports 20 retract into main body 12 so that a display film folded infold region 42 has additional room to adopt its natural folded statewithout tensile or compressive stress. Idler brackets 16 provideadditional stiffness to hinge assembly 10 that further help to minimizeflexure and warpage of a display film during changes in housingpositions by rotation of hinge assembly 10 between the open and closedpositions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view depicts hinge assembly 10 in aclosed position having display film supports 20 withdrawn into a centrallocation of main body 12 and brackets 14 rotated to define fold region42. In the example embodiment, the size of fold region 42 is effectivelyincreased by withdrawal of display film supports 20. Helical members 30rotate out of main body 12 with semicircular shape that matches theshape of semicircular portions 22, resulting in a pivot motion ofbracket 12. Each bracket 12 pivots about its own rotation axis, definedby the semicircular portion 22 in which the bracket 12 helical member 30couples. As a result of the dual axis pivot movement of brackets 12,information handling system housing portions coupled with brackets 12move in a controlled manner about folding region 42 relative to a stablemain body 12 so that cables, thermal components, mechanical structuresand other internal system components function through a full 180 degreesof motion between the depicted closed position and the tablet openposition of FIG. 1 without damage or interruption. Hinge assembly 10provides robust mono-hinge construction for coupling of mobile housingportions to meet hinge cycling and bending constraints within aminimal-sized housing.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a lower perspective view depicts the bottom ofhinge assembly 10 in an open position. A back cover 34 forms the backside of main body 12 and defines channels 36 through which cables canpass across hinge assembly 10. For example, back cover 34 fixes cablesin place as the cables pass through hinge assembly 10 to avoid damageand define flex regions for the cables outside of hinge assembly 10where reinforcement may be applied to ensure cable integrity.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A through 6G, a series of side views depictfolding of a flexible display film across a multi-axis hinge withpivoting of brackets to define a fold region. In a fully open positiondepicted by FIG. 6A, a flexible display film is supported over aflexible support surface to accept touch inputs in a tablet mode ofoperation. Flexible display supports 20 extend upwards in a middleposition of hinge assembly 10 to provide support against flexibledisplay support 40. FIG. 6B depicts rotation of hinge assembly 10 fromthe 180 degree open position of FIG. 6A to a 150 degree open position inwhich flexible display supports 20 retract somewhat into hinge assembly10, providing room for flexible display support 40 to bend and separatefrom flexible display film 38. As the housing rotation angle continuesto increase in FIGS. 6C and 6D, fold region 42 is defined within hingeassembly 10 to provide room for flexible display film 38 to fold in anatural manner without tensile or compressive stress. Continuing toFIGS. 6E, 6F and 6G, as hinge assembly 10 completes closure of opposinghousing portions to a substantially parallel relationship, fold region42 provides room for flexible display film 38 to fold below the planedefined by flexible display film 38 in the open position of FIG. 6A. Theadditional space is defined by the bracket 14 movement about separaterotational axes, which provides a pivot motion about fold region 42.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an upper perspective cutaway view depictsinteractions between helical members 30 of brackets coupled to hingeassembly 10 and helical guides 44 defined within main body 12 of hingeassembly 10. Helical guides 44 are defined between an inner sliding cam46 and an outer sliding cam 48. As either bracket 14 rotates, itshelical member 30 works against the cam surface of sliding cams 46 and48 to change the position of sliding cams 46 and 48, which slide backand forth along the length of main body 12. Changes in the position ofsliding cams 46 and 48 caused by one bracket 14 helical member 30translates to the opposing bracket 14 helical member 30 through movementof sliding cams 46 and 48, which causes synchronized rotation of theopposing brackets 14. At the ends of each helical member 30, anextension protrudes out of helical guide 44 to act as a flexible displayfilm support 20. In the example embodiment, the relative position ofeach flexible display support 20 along the length of main body 12 todistribute support along the display film.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an upper perspective cutaway view depictsbrackets 14 rotated in a synchronized manner to a closed positioncoordinated by action of sliding cams 46 and 48. Alignment ridge 32 hasa substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the length of mainbody 12 and engages in an alignment guide 50 formed in main body 12. Theengagement of alignment ridge 32 in alignment guide 50 maintains bracket14 in a fixed position along the length of main body 12 as helicalmembers 30 rotate within helical guides 44. As a bracket 14 is rotatedfrom the open position of FIG. 7 towards the closed position of FIG. 8,the helical member 30 pushes against sliding cams 46 and 48 forcingsliding cams 46 and 48 to slide towards a central position of main body12. As cams 46 and 48 slide, engagement with the helical member 30 ofthe opposing bracket 14 forces rotation of the opposing bracket tomaintain a fixed position at main body 12 while sliding cams 46 and 48move. In the example embodiment, helical guides 44 and helical members30 act, essentially, as threads of a screw and nut that rotationallyengage as brackets 14 rotate. For instance, helical guides 44 andhelical members 30 have an angle, also generally referred to as a pitch,of about 45 degrees relative to the axis of rotation. The pitch used fora particular hinge may vary based upon a number of factors, such as theamount of curvature to be defined for folding the display film and theadjustment to the circumference along the fold so that the display filmremains stationary as the housing rotates. That is to say, although theexample angle of pitch of the helical member and helical guide isapproximately 45 degrees, other pitches may be selected based uponsystem fold angle, thickness, length and width so that the display filmfolds within acceptable torsional and compressive forces.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a lower perspective cutaway view depictsinteractions between helical members 30 and helical guide 44 defined bysliding cams 46 and 48. FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of hingeassembly 10 with synchronized bracket movement though helical member 30engagement with helical guides 44. As described above, sliding cams 46and 48 work cooperatively with helical members 30 so that rotation ofone bracket 14 translates to rotation of the opposing bracket 14 in asynchronized manner. Alignment thread 32 engages with hinge main body 12throughout the rotational range of bracket 14 to maintain bracket 14 inits relative position along main body 12. Force applied across thehelical geometries of helical members 30 and helical guide 44 translatesto synchronized motion of brackets 14 since rotation is the onlyunconstrained direction in which brackets 14 can move.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a side perspective view depicts an end ofhinge assembly 10 having torque to resist bracket 14 rotationcommunicated from a torque element 24 through torque arms 26. In thedepicted open position, semicircular portions 22 show the rotationalpath followed by helical members of bracket 14 that are captured withinmain body 12. Flexible display film supports 20 extend upwards betweenthe semicircular portions 22. Each torque arm 26 rotationally couples totorque element 24, which generates torque to resist rotational movementof torque arm 26. Opposite the rotational coupling to torque element 24,each torque arm 26 engages in a slot 52 of bracket 14 to translategenerated torque to work against rotation of bracket 14. In the exampleembodiment, slot 52 has a nonlinear shape that varies the translation oftorque based upon the rotational orientation of brackets 14. In variousembodiments, various non-linear configurations may be adapted toincrease and/or decrease torque translated from torque element 24 basedupon rotational orientation. Alternatively, a linear slot 52 may be usedor other types of coupling arrangements that adapt to the different axesof rotation followed by bracket 14 and torque arm 26. For instance,torque arm 26 might co-locate with the rotation axis of semicircularportion 22 so that a rotational coupling is used at bracket 14 insteadof slot 52. In such an embodiment, variable torque may be created bytorque element 24, such as with selective alignment of friction plates.In an alternative embodiment, torque element 24 may be integrated withinbracket 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a side cutaway view compares a foldregion 42 provided by a single axis pivot hinge and a dual axis pivothinge. In FIG. 12A, a display plane 54 is defined in an open position bybrackets 14 that extend over top of hinge assembly 10. Display filmsupports 20 extend upwards from hinge assembly 10 to substantially alignwith display plane 54 and offer support to a display film disposed overbrackets 14 and across hinge assembly 10. In the closed position, eachbracket 14 rotates about one of dual axis 60 and display film supports20 retract so that additional space is made available under displayplane 54 for fold region 42. In contrast, FIG. 12B depicts a single axispivot hinge having brackets 14 rotating about a common axis at a centrallocation. Display plane 54 remains at the upper surface of the mono-axishinge assembly 10 in both the folded and unfolded state.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an upper perspective view depicts analternative embodiment of a dual axis pivot hinge assembly 10 in an openposition having bracket 14 motion synchronized by a gear subassembly 56.Hinge assembly 10 brackets 14 each have a gear member 58 that extendsout in a semicircular shape with gear teeth exposed at an innercircumference and aligned to engage with gear subassembly 56. A smoothbackside of each gear member 58 slides within a semicircular portion 64to provide a pivot about the rotation axis defined by the semicircularshape. In the open position, brackets 14 support a display film disposedacross hinge assembly 10 and the ends of gear members 58 project upwardsfrom a central location of hinge assembly 10 to act as flexible displaysupports 20 that support the display film across the central portion ofhinge assembly 10. Torque element 24 generates torque to resist bracket14 rotation and translates the torque through torque arms 26.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an upper perspective view depicts the dualaxis pivot hinge 10 rotated to a closed position with brackets 14synchronized by gear subassembly 56. As gear members 58 slide out fromsemicircular portion 64, the size of fold region 42 increases bywithdrawal of display film supports 20 to provide additional space for aflexible display film to fold across hinge assembly 10. The dual pivotmotion defined by the separate semicircular portions 64 extends brackets14 up and away from gear subassembly 56 to adapt to changes in therelative circumference of a display film disposed across separatehousing portions that are rotationally coupled by hinge assembly 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a side cutaway view depicts acomparison of bracket pivot movement with a dual axis and single axishinge assembly. FIG. 15A depicts first and second axes 60, each axisdefined at a center of rotation of a semicircle portion 64 in which thegear member 58 rotationally slides. The offset distance between the dualaxes 60 defines an amount of room in fold region 42 in which a displayfilm may fold. The radius of each semicircular portion 64 defines adepth into which the display film may fold. By adjusting the offsetbetween each dual axes 60 and the radius of each semicircular portion 64the amount of space for fold region 42 is managed based upon displayfilm characteristics. Additional adjustments may be applied by addingsome elliptical shape to the semicircular portion to further define thehinge pivot. In contrast, the single axis pivot hinge depicted by FIG.15B has a single axis 62 about which both brackets 14 pivot. The centralregion under axis 62 remains static, thus limiting space within foldregion 42 in which a display film may fold.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an exploded perspective view depicts a hingeassembly 10 having a dual axis pivot synchronized by a gear subassembly58. Each of opposing brackets 14 has a gear member 58 that extendsoutwards to fit in a semicircular portion 64. Each gear member 58 has asmooth side on an outer circumference surface and a gear side on theinner circumference surface. The smooth side slides within asemicircular portion 64 to rotate bracket 14 from a closed to an openposition. The gear side engages with a transfer gear extending out fromgear subassembly 56 to translate rotational motion of bracket 14 throughgear subassembly 56 to a transfer gear 66 on an opposing side of gearsubassembly 56. In turn, rotation of transfer gear 66 transfersrotational movement to the opposing bracket 14 through its gear member58. An alignment peg 68 inserts into an alignment opening 70 to provideaccurate assembly of the hinge main body. The size of gear members 58provides some extension of the end of gear member 58 out of and abovesemicircle portion 64 to act as flexible display film supports 20.Torque arms 26 fit in linear slots 52 of each bracket 14 to translatetorque from a torque element 24.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a top cutaway view depicts an informationhandling system 72 having opposing housing portions 74 rotationallycoupled by a dual axes pivot hinge assembly 10. Information handlingsystem 72 includes a motherboard 76 in one housing portion 74 thatinterfaces processing components that cooperate to process information.For instance, a central processing unit (CPU) 82 executes instructionsthat process information and a random access memory (RAM) 84 stores theinstructions and information. In the opposing housing portion 74, adaughterboard 78 supports communication with other processing componentsand a battery 80 that provides power to operate the processingcomponents. In the example embodiment, power and information communicatebetween daughterboard 78 and motherboard 76 through flexible cableinterfaces 86 that pass through hinge assembly 10. Flexible cableinterface 86 houses and guides a flexible cable through hinge assembly10 to adapt to both rotational movement of hinge assembly 10 but alsotranslational movement as the hinge bracket extends away from the hingemain body in the closed position to provide room for folding of aflexible display film. Flexible cable interface 86 includes a series ofinner and outer covers and mylar to provide a spring-type force thataids in cable translation.

Referring now to FIG. 18A, a side cutaway view depicts a flexible cableinterface between housing portions 74 and across a hinge assembly 10rotated to an open position. FIG. 18B depicts an example of copperdistribution at a flexible cable that extends across a multi-axis pivothinge. A flexible cable 88 is captured within hinge assembly 10 toprevent movement that can stress and break the cable material as hingeassembly 10 rotates. Mylar disposed about flexible cable 88 protectsconductive material within flexible cable 88 by managing bend angle toat least greater than a minimum bend angle that prevents over stressingof conductive material. Flexible cable 88 follows a path that defines amotion segment 90 where stress results from bending of flexible cable88. In the motioning segment 90, a copper removal area is defined thatimproves flexing of flexible cable 88 by reducing stiffness related tocopper disposed within the cable, as shown in FIG. 18B. Flexible cable88 is coupled to each housing portion 74 with a segment fixed by screw94 or similar fixed coupling device to prevent flexing at the attachmentpoint to the motherboard or daughterboard. Between motioning segment 90and screw attachment point 94, flexible cable 88 is wrapped in a dualtear drop “S” pattern within each housing portion. Slack evident inflexible cable 88 in the open position as depicted by FIG. 18A adapts totranslation of bracket 14 away from main body 12 as the pivot motiondefined by engagement of helical members in semicircular portions ofhinge assembly 10 provides extension up and away to support the smallercircumference defined for display film 38 in the closed position. Thelength and fold path of flexible cable 88 may vary based upon thehousing size and hinge pivot motion of information handling system 72 sothat the fold radius applied to flexible cable 88 does not violateminimum constraints. For instance, in a low Z-height system, the lengthof the S fold may be increased where less vertical height is availableto maintain folding constraints. Further, mylar treatment of flexiblecable 88 may be increased where sharper fold curvatures are anticipated.In addition, a roller that physically manages folding of flexible cable88 may be included to guide the cable's fold path.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, a side cutaway view depicts aflexible cable interface response to rotation of a housing portion fromthe open to a closed position. FIG. 19A depicts flexible cable 88passing between first and second fixed locations 96 and around a roller98 that defines a fold curvature for flexible cable 88. In the openposition of FIG. 19A, flexible cable 88 forms an S shape with the lowerS shape curve following the form of roller 98 to maintain at least aminimum fold radius defined by roller 98. Once rotation about hingeassembly 10 from the closed towards the open position starts, as shownby FIG. 19B, bracket 14 begins to translate upward to unfold flexiblecable 88 with roller 98 helping to guide the straightening motion sothat flexible cable 88 does not kink. FIG. 19C illustrates that, ashinge assembly 10 achieves the closed position, the fixed location 96pulls flexible cable 88 straight and away from roller 98, thus avoidingtension and kinks. Once hinge assembly 10 rotates from the closedposition of FIG. 19C to the open position of FIG. 19A, roller 98 againengages against flexible cable 88 to guide bending back to the S shape.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for rotationally coupling first andsecond housing portions, the method comprising: coupling a first bracketto a first housing portion; coupling a second bracket to a secondhousing portion; inserting a first gear member extending from the firstbracket into a first guide of a hinge main body; inserting a second gearmember extending from the second bracket into a second guide of thehinge main body; rotating the first housing portion relative to thesecond housing portion; and translating the rotating to the secondhousing portion through a gear subassembly induced by the first gearmember and transferred to the second gear member, the first gear memberhaving a semicircular shape rotating about a first axis, the second gearmember having a semicircular shape rotating about a second axis, thefirst and second axes offset to define a fold region.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: engaging gears disposed on an innercircumference of the first and second gear members with gears extendingfrom the gear subassembly; and sliding a smooth surface of an outercircumference of the first and second gear members within a smoothsurface of the first and second guides.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: extending the first and second gear members through andabove the hinge main body in an open position of the first and secondhousing portions; retracting the first and second gear members withinthe hinge main body in a closed position of the first and second housingportions.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first gear member, secondgear member and gear subassembly form a planetary gear having the endsof the first and second gear members aligned to extend upwards onopposite sides of the gear subassembly.
 5. The method of claim 4 furthercomprising: disposing a flexible display film over the first and secondhousing portions and the hinge main body; and folding the flexibledisplay film into the fold region in response to rotation of the firstand second housing portions from an open to a closed position.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: coupling a torque element to anend of the main body; coupling a first torque arm from the torqueelement to a first slot of the first bracket; coupling a second torquearm from the torque element to a second slot of the second bracket;rotating the brackets relative to the torque element; and in response tothe rotating, translating torque from the torque element to the firstand second brackets through the first and second torque arms.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising: forming the first and second slotsto have a non-linear path; and varying torque applied to the first andsecond bracket based upon the non-linear path followed through changesin rotational orientations.
 8. A hinge comprising: a main body having agear subassembly, a first semicircular portion on one side of the gearsubassembly aligned with a first axis and a second semicircular portionon the other side gear subassembly aligned with a second axis, the firstand second semicircular portions having a smooth surface, the first andsecond axes offset from each other; a first bracket having a first gearmember, the first gear member having a semicircular shape with gearteeth exposed at an inner circumference and a smooth outer circumferencethat slidingly engages the main body first semicircular portion; and asecond bracket having a second gear member, the second gear memberhaving a semicircular shape with gear teeth exposed at an innercircumference and a smooth outer circumference that slidingly engagesthe main body second semicircular portion; wherein rotation of the firstbracket translates to the second bracket through engagement of the firstand second bracket gear member gear teeth with the gear subassembly. 9.The hinge of claim 8 wherein the offset of the first and second axesdefines a fold region to accept a flexible display fold in a closedposition.
 10. The hinge of claim 8 further comprising: a torque elementcoupled to an end of the main body; a first torque arm coupled betweenthe torque element and the first bracket to apply torque to the firstbracket in resistance to rotation of the first bracket; and a secondtorque arm coupled between the torque element and the second bracket toapply torque to the second bracket in resistance to rotation of thesecond bracket.
 11. The hinge of claim 8 wherein the first and secondgear members extend up over the main body on opposing sides of the gearsubassembly when the brackets rotate to an open position and retractwithin the main body when the brackets rotate to a closed position.